ESU Updates Safety Policies

East Stroudsburg University has implemented new campus safety updates that affect student desk workers and shuttle services.

Student desk workers are now required to cover 24/7 shifts. The former schedule for desk workers was Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.; 24-hours Friday and Saturday, ending at 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.

“[ESU] has been looking at 24-hour security, sort of balancing some cost and figures out,” said Hemlock and Sycamore Resident Director Patrick Monaghan. “Along with the security also comes a better customer service experience for the student. 24/7 there’s a point person in the halls that can address pretty much all situations.”

The university wants to provide better service for its residents, and university officials have been discussing 24/7 coverage for quite some time.

This will help prevent unauthorized visitors from entering dormitories, especially during the early morning hours, Monaghan said.

Along with the additional hours, all student desk workers now get paid the same rate of $8 per hour, a change from last semester where the “special desk” worker position paid $9 per hour, and the regular student desk workers received $7.25 per hour.

“We’re still students first, at the end of the day, so as a student, it has kind of thrown our schedule off,” said student desk worker Nasir Cooper.

“Last year, we had more leeway. Now it’s like, you have to work a certain time, or you just can’t have a job. As a student, it’s difficult.”

Cooper believes the university should have contracted security personnel to work the early morning shifts during the week, leaving desk workers like him the ability rest and focus on their studies; though, not all desk workers agree.

“I like the changes. I get more hours. The shift change was small; it was nothing significant.” Says Hemlock Suite student desk worker Anthony Del Popolo, who has been a desk worker since spring 2018.

Del Popolo believes that the changes were necessary and that the shift change will greatly benefit security for students.

“Yeah, [it’s a good idea]. If someone is always there, there is less of an opportunity for unauthorized guests to enter the building. I don’t feel safer, but I don’t feel unsafe,” said Junior Jack Melquist.

According to Warrior Notes for September 5, when students use the Warrior Shuttle, they must display their ESU e-card to drivers. Although this is a new policy it is not being implemented because drivers are not carding passengers.

These changes come after a spike in violent crime seen during the 2017-2018 academic year with the shooting death of Domino’s Pizza delivery driver, Richard Labar, 58, and the stabbing of an ESU student.